Dairy-Free Living: Vegan Cheese

If you're considering a shift toward dairy-free living, you're probably wondering how you could ever stop eating traditional cheese. But whether you're avoiding dairy for health, environmental, or personal reasons, the good news is that you don't have to go without cheese. Vegan cheese is now readily available at most health food stores, but it's also fairly easy to make at home.

Store-Bought Varieties

Many store-bought vegan cheeses provide convenience and variety, but the downside is that they often contain many preservatives and additives, such as partially hydrogenated soybean oils, food coloring, and excess sugar or salt. If you plan to eat vegan cheese alternatives regularly, you might want to consider using fresh and natural ingredients (that you may already have in your pantry or refrigerator) to make your own vegan cheese at home.

The Basics of Homemade Vegan Cheese

You can make your own vegan cheese by soaking almonds or cashews in water for at least eight hours in the refrigerator, rinsing and draining them, and then transferring them to your blender to make a smooth and creamy base. Organic silken tofu is another wonderful creamy base that blends easily and saves prep time. If you want a thicker faux cheese, you can add agar-agar, a seaweed-based gelatin with incredible thickening capabilities. If you want a stretchy, melted final product, the best ingredient is a tapioca starch/flour, which can be found at any health food store.

Once you have your base, add your favorite mix of spices, herbs, and heat to create a cheesy flavor profile. Try any of these suggestions for a full-flavored vegan cheese.

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